Spotlight on Barista Training

Out of Home Magazine takes a look at the BSA’s extensive training activities both at home and abroad

The Beverage Standards Association offers the only accredited Barista skills courses at its many Approved Centres throughout the UK and Ireland and now at International Centres. Industry experts predict that an expected 40,000 extra baristas will be required by 2023.

What is a VRQ?For the first time Barista skills can be developed and rewarded by an internationally recognised qualification – the City & Guilds Barista Level 2 VRQ (Vocational Related Qualification). A VRQ is a ‘Foundation’ qualification – comparable to a GCSE – but is usually workplace related. The qualification involves both classroom-based learning as well as the craft skills required for a Professional Barista. A ‘Level 2’ qualification indicates an introductory level knowledge and more advanced skills may be covered in the future by a ‘Level 3’ qualification.

Lincoln College & BSA Member Stokes Tea & Coffee have supported community training to VRQ level 2 Barista Skills. The College partnered with Stokes in Lincoln to run a course for adults to develop their Barista and customer service skills to help with emplyability in the City.

The first cohort of 10 learners were referred to Lincoln College and have completed a level 1 employability qualification, plus level 2 onwards in food safety and Health and Safety. They have also completed the Level 2 VRQ in Barista Skills where they tained at Stokes coffee shop and cafe based at the Lawn in Lincoln – with Stokes going on to employ two students from the course.

This article was first published in the August 2019 edition of the Out of Home Magazine and can be read in full here.